Every year, Invest in Veterans Week (March 1-7) serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting those who have served our country. While many veterans transition successfully into civilian life, others face challenges in finding purpose and opportunities to serve outside of the military. Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) plays a vital role in ensuring veterans can continue to lead and serve in meaningful ways. Through programs like Character Does Matter powered by Under Armour Freedom and the Spartan Leadership Program, TMF provides veterans with opportunities to leverage their leadership skills, mentor the next generation, and unite communities through service.

A Renewed Mission Through Mentoring Youth

For many veterans, the transition out of uniform can feel disorienting. The structured environment and clear mission of military service are suddenly gone, leaving many searching for direction. TMF’s flagship initiative, Character Does Matter, allows veterans to continue serving, this time as Veteran Mentors and role models for youth who need guidance and inspiration.

Veteran Mentors use their real-life experiences to instill values like courage, integrity, and service in students nationwide. By sharing their personal stories of resilience and leadership, they help shape the next generation while also finding growth and purpose in their own lives.

Spartan Leadership Program: Building Stronger Veterans and Communities

TMF’s renowned Spartan Leadership Program is an intensive, 7-month experience designed to help veterans connect passion with purpose, and leverage their own experiences to develop themselves as leaders. Spartan Leadership Program empowers veterans to lean into their unique skills and use those to create meaningful change in our nation’s communities.

Finding Purpose Again: Mel Hoffman's Story

For veterans like Mel Hoffman, a retired Army Sergeant Major, TMF has been life-changing. After more than 30 years of service, Mel found himself struggling to adjust to civilian life. The sense of purpose, responsibility, and leadership that had defined his military career was suddenly absent. Like many veterans, he felt lost—until he discovered TMF. 

A Veteran Mentor and graduate of Spartan Leadership Program, Mel found a new mission: providing character education and mentorship to young people who need positive role models. “Young people are the future of America and I just love working with them,” Mel says. “They’ve got all kinds of ideas. We don’t give them enough credit. After 34 years in the Army and feeling lost after I separated, being a Mentor has given me purpose again. Seeing the positive impact the TMF Pathfinders Youth Club members are having on themselves and the community, it drives me to continue what we're doing and push for more." Learn more about Mel in the video below. 

Why Investing in Veterans Matters

Invest in Veterans Week is a call to action—not just to thank veterans for their service, but to actively support their post-military journeys. TMF ensures that veterans continue to lead, mentor, and strengthen their communities long after they take off the uniform. This week, consider how you can support veterans in your community. Whether by donating or getting involved with TMF in your community, volunteering, every effort makes a difference. An investment in veterans is an investment in the future, empowering leaders who will continue to serve and inspire for years to come.